The procession left Kane-Jerrett Funeral Home in Thornhill shortly after 9:30am. for the Toronto Convention Center in Etobicoke. Thousands of officers from dozens of different police agencies across Ontario lined the streets outside the Convention Center as the hearse carrying Hong’s casket arrived. Over 7,000 people are expected to attend the service. It will include eulogies from Hong’s wife Jenny and daughter Mia, as well as tributes from Ontario Premier Doug Ford, Toronto Mayor John Tory, Toronto Police Chief James Ramer and Toronto Police Association president John Reid . Hong, 48, died in what police described as an unprovoked and fatal “ambush” during his lunch break at a Mississauga Tim Hortons last week. He was one of two victims who died shortly after the shooting, while the third died in hospital a few days later. While the funeral is private, members of the public have been invited to sign a book of condolence for Hong’s family and can watch the procession make its way to the funeral. CBC Toronto will broadcast parts of the procession live on this story.
“Larger Than Life”
A 22-year veteran, Hong has spent the past 19 years with Toronto police traffic services, working with a specialized motorcycle unit that provides security escorts for dignitaries such as prime ministers and presidents. He is survived by his wife, two teenage children, a boy and a girl, and his parents. Hong, a 22-year police veteran, is seen here in a graduation photo from the Ontario Police College. Family, friends and colleagues will attend Hong’s funeral on Wednesday at the Toronto Convention Centre. (Toronto Police Service) In the public statement the day after his death, the family described Hong as “a man of steel on the outside with a warm teddy bear personality on the inside.” “His personality was larger than life,” said the Hong family, who also requested privacy during this time. “He was a practical joker and got on well with everyone. His absence has left a gaping hole in the hearts of our family, the police family and everyone who knew and loved Andrew.” A statement from Hong’s family pic.twitter.com/wZlcrnZyIW —@TPAca The procession will travel:
North on Yonge Street. West on Highway 407 ETR. South on Highway 27. East on Steeles Ave. South on Martin Grove Rd.
Police say the public can view the procession from the Highway 407 overpasses at Bathurst Street, Dufferin Street, Keele Street, Jane Street, Weston Road, Pine Valley Drive and Islington Avenue.
Road closures in place
Toronto Police will be closing and enforcing traffic control measures on these streets Wednesday morning:
Martin Grove Road, from Dixon Road to Belfield Road, from 6.30am Martin Grove Road, from Dixon Road to Bethridge Boulevard, from 7:30 a.m Belfield Road starts at 7:30am Limited or controlled access from Highway 27 to Martin Grove Street and Kipling Avenue to Martin Grove Street. Police say no one can cross Martin Grove Road from 7:30am. until the end of the ceremony. East and West ramps on Hwy 409 to Martin Grove Road, starting at 6:30am. Westbound ramp on Hwy 401 to Martin Grove Road beginning at 6:30am
Police say the roads will reopen around 1 p.m Until then, police have mapped out two alternative routes for motorists. The Toronto Police Service set up multiple diversion routes for the public to use during Const. Andrew Hong’s funeral. (Toronto Police Brochure)
